Welcome back, Dick
Port Ludlow Golf Club is excited to welcome back Dick Schmidt as the Head Golf Course Superintendent. Schmidt was the original Golf Course Superintendent and has returned to the position 26 years later. He brings a deep knowledge of turf care and a passion to return Port Ludlow Golf Club to its great standing in the golf landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Schmidt oversaw construction of the course in 1971.
He started his golf career in Indian Canyon Golf Club in Spokane alongside his father, Louis, who built the course in the early 1930s. He started off mowing greens, hand watering, caddying, and picking up range balls. It was there that Schmidt got his taste for the sport and started learning the ins and outs of a good golf course.
Schmidt left Spokane at 18-years-old for Meadowlark Golf and Country Club in Montana to become an Assistant Golf Professional. He returned to Washington two years later to become the Assistant Golf Professional at Overlake Golf Club in Bellevue, later becoming Assistant Superintendent. When Schmidt’s father moved to Seattle to be the Head Superintendent at Inglewood, Schmidt became his assistant. A year later Schmidt became the Construction Superintendent, overseeing construction of a half-dozen courses in the Seattle-Tacoma area.
Schmidt’s father built world class golf courses such as Sahalee in Redmond and Indian Canyon in Spokane. His uncle, Clarence, built Esmeralda in Spokane and Twin Lakes in Idaho. His brother, Ray, constructed Kayak Point in Everett, Semiahmoo in Bellingham, and Bellevue Municipal. The Schmidt family was involved in constructing many additional courses. With a family whose legacy is rooted in golf course construction, it is no surprise Schmidt took on the task of building Port Ludlow Golf Club.
Schmidt arrived in Port Ludlow in 1971. He said, “Building Port Ludlow was the ultimate construction job.” After overseeing the construction of Port Ludlow Golf Club, he became the Head Golf Course Superintendent and Director of Golf and Recreation.
His position expanded over the years to Director of Golf for Village Resorts and Operations in Washington, Utah, Arizona, and California. He left Village Resorts and Operations to accept a position to run Orange Tree Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. Schmidt oversaw the construction of Crosswater in Sunriver, Oregon, and before retirement Schmidt was the Director of Golf at Bend Country Club. After he retired to Ennis, Montana to enjoy his passion of hunting and fishing, he and his wife returned to Washington in 2000, to be closer to family. With enthusiasm and pride Port Ludlow Golf Club welcomes back Dick Schmidt.
His job expanded over the years to Director of Golf for Village Resorts and Operations in Washington, Utah, Arizona, and California. Schmidt left Village Resorts and Operations to accept a position to run Orange Tree Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. He oversaw the construction of Crosswater in Sunriver, Oregon, and before retirement Schmidt was the Director of Golf at Bend Country Club. After he retired to Ennis, Montana to enjoy his passion of hunting and fishing, he and his wife returned to Washington in 2000 to be closer to family. Port Ludlow Golf Club welcomes back Dick Schmidt with enthusiasm and pride.
